Lews MB not reeling smoothly

[Weedless]

I have a Lews Tournament MB baitcaster and after sitting through the winter, I noticed that it isnt reeling as smoothly. So I tore it apart and cleaned it thoroughly and when I was putting it back together before I tightened the 4 screws it was reeling perfectly, but when I tightened them, practically just a little more then finger tight, and went back to not as smooth. I then loosened all the screws back up to see if that was the problem, it did not help. Its not grinding or anything like that, its like i have the spool tensioner on too much...When i flick the handle to spin it it only freely rotates a few times. Its not like my others. 

 

You think bearing went bad? Should I try and place oil in the bearnig to break it loose before placing grease back in and around the bearing?

 

Thanks

[NYWayfarer]

Time to send it to a professional for a look. That reel is one of my favorites. It's not in production anymore so I want to keep mine running as long as I can. If mine felt like that I would make an appointment with DVT

[Weedless]

So tore it apart about 12 times now...I will work perfectly with the side plate screw loose....???

 

Any ideas ?

 

[Log Catcher]

One thing I see is putting grease in bearings is something not to do. You should only put one or two drops of oil in the bearings. Grease is only for the gears.

[Weedless]

It feels like the tension knob is turn on some....when I loosen the screws, it feels like its suppose to...

 

IM GOING NUTZ!!

[Weedless]

to add to the problem now....my drag will now loosen up.....is that bearing that the collar slides into going bad? And should i put grease or oil between the sleeve and bearing?

[PhishLI]

3 minutes ago, Weedless said:

to add to the problem now....my drag will now loosen up.....is that bearing that the collar slides into going bad? And should i put grease or oil between the sleeve and bearing?

Not being a wise guy at all, but can you read the schematic? Check to see if everything starting with the click ratchet on up to the top of the driveshaft is seated properly. The sections are keyed to the shaft or washers/plates. If they're not seated properly the problem with the side plate you're describing will occur. Don't grease the sleeve/bearing.

 

https://www.lews.com/themes/lews_theme/assets/media/manuals/casting/TournamentMBLFS.pdf

[Manifestgtr]

Ooooo man...I remember getting ALL of these problems when I first started learning how to take reels down. It can be a little brutal until you get the hang of it.

 

The drag not loosening up is an easy fix. That little sleeve that runs through your anti-reverse and dips down into your drag washers, etc. Make sure that’s seated in place, exactly the way it needs to be. If you don’t, you’ll either a.) never get it back together or b.) be stuck with a permanently pinned, possibly damaged drag. 
 

I know some guys will say “just take it to a professional” and it’s difficult to argue with that logic. But I can tell you from experience that weathering these teething pains makes life a lot easier when you eventually want to replace your gears, bearings, etc. 

[Weedless]

1. So I took my other one apart very slowly and to see if I can see any difference from what i did....nothing....so i put that one back together.....AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED!!! I SCREWED UP BOTH!!!  ? I slowly seated everything, I have everything in correct order as per schmatic, i believe its me putting outer cover on ... it spins like its suppose to when screws are 95% in...its the last 5 it slows it up.....Im an idiot.....but maybe 38th time is a charm!

The one thing that intrigues me is the drag spacers....I have them in correct order but is the last one suppose to not be flush with gear? it is completely its thickness out of the seat in gear.

[Weedless]

So I took a drag washer out just to see if that is what is being the problem and it runs perfectly.....I am looking at the schematic on order and how they are assmebled and still dumbfounded....

 

who on here repairs/ puts reels back together that I can send to?

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Weedless said:

who on here repairs/ puts reels back together that I can send to?

@Delaware Valley Tackle - Mike does reel repair. Toss him a PM or click on the link on the right side-bar.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Something is obviously not seated correctly. If a drag washer came out, it goes back in. If you want them diagnosed or just reassembled without deep cleaning I’ll do a pro rated rate for you. 

[Weedless]

FIXED IT! Somehow both my reels one way clutch bearing was not snapped it the whole way...I am surprised both came out of position being that it took a firm push to "snap" them back in place...Im not sure they ever were in place....cuz the reels pulled apart smoothly...no idea how they became unseated....and it happen on both reels...hmmmm....

 

THANKS EVERYONE!!

 

 

[dodgeguy]

11 hours ago, Weedless said:

FIXED IT! Somehow both my reels one way clutch bearing was not snapped it the whole way...I am surprised both came out of position being that it took a firm push to "snap" them back in place...Im not sure they ever were in place....cuz the reels pulled apart smoothly...no idea how they became unseated....and it happen on both reels...hmmmm....

 

THANKS EVERYONE!!

 

 

Congratulations

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

99.99% of the time it’s something simple like that.